torture

1 of 2

noun

tor·​ture ˈtȯr-chər How to pronounce torture (audio)
1
: the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure
2
a
: something that causes agony or pain
b
: anguish of body or mind : agony
3
: distortion or overrefinement of a meaning or an argument : straining

torture

2 of 2

verb

tortured; torturing
ˈtȯrch-riŋ,
ˈtȯr-chə- How to pronounce torture (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to cause intense suffering to : torment
2
: to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain
3
: to twist or wrench out of shape : distort, warp
torturer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for torture

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.

afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

Examples of torture in a Sentence

Noun Waiting is just torture for me. Listening to him can be torture. Verb The report revealed that prisoners had been repeatedly tortured. Don't torture yourself over the mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The researchers interviewed about 30 Vietnam veterans, most of whom had survived years of torture and solitary confinement. Alice Park, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 Referred to by Israel as the Butcher of Khan Younis for his violent and cruel torture methods against his enemies, both Israeli and Palestinian, Sinwar, 61, is widely seen as being behind the massacre of Israeli civilians carried out by thousands of Hamas militants on Oct. 7. Greg Norman, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
Jules attempts to channel otherworldly forces by torturing a painter with paranatural abilities into mass-producing paintings that predict the future. G Kirilloff, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Following an audiobook narrator tortured by sinister interruptions while trying to complete an erotic novel, the film stars Mitzi Akaha, Michael Schantz and Rex. Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for torture 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin tortura, from Latin tortus, past participle of torquēre to twist; probably akin to Old High German drāhsil turner, Greek atraktos spindle

First Known Use

Noun

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of torture was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near torture

Cite this Entry

“Torture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torture. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

torture

1 of 2 noun
tor·​ture ˈtȯr-chər How to pronounce torture (audio)
1
: distress of body or mind
2
: the causing of great pain especially to punish or to obtain a confession

torture

2 of 2 verb
tortured; torturing ˈtȯrch-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce torture (audio)
1
: to cause great suffering to
2
: to punish or force someone to do or say something by causing great pain
torturer noun
Etymology

Noun

from French torture "causing of intense pain or agony," from Latin tortura "act of twisting," from earlier tortus, past participle of torquēre "to twist" — related to distort, extort, retort

More from Merriam-Webster on torture

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